I agree - it's the definition of pandering: it serves no higher purpose than to gratify some group of people, without serving any deeper meaning.

I would like to know in what way this will actually influence change. Don't get me wrong, sincere displays of solidarity matter, but this isn't one. It's an effortless token gesture.

> Don't get me wrong, sincere displays of solidarity matter, but this isn't one. It's an effortless token gesture.

This is entirely based on assumptions about who wrote that tweet and how that account is manages.

I view it as simply spreading the message.

Their pinned thread explains that the account is mainly run by one person https://twitter.com/rustlang/status/1263105810525237248

Virtual signalling is the highest form of pandering.

The negative use of the term "virtue signalling" honestly baffles me. Why on earth is publicly stating your beliefs is a bad thing? Communication is how ideas spread.

“Virtue signalling” refers specifically to a public performative show of caring not because a person/organization actually cares but wants some sort of social, financial, political, or personal benefit from giving off the appearance of caring.

Seems like to claim "Virtue Signaling" you have a.) "show of caring" but no evidence of b.) "wanting some benefit from giving the appearance".

And without any attempt of evidence or justification for claim of B, just dropping the accusation of virtual signaling comes across as merely trying to describe "openly not being an asshole" as if it were a bad thing.

How do we know the person behind the Rust twitter account doesn’t actually care? Because that’s the clear implication in labelling them a virtue signaller.